Kaká

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, known as Kaká, was born on 22 April 1982 in Gama, in Brazil’s Federal District. He grew up in São Paulo and entered São Paulo FC’s youth system at eight. At 18, a swimming-pool accident caused a cervical vertebra fracture and temporarily threatened his career; he later credited his recovery to faith, a theme reflected in the “I belong to Jesus” shirt he displayed after matches. Kaká made his São Paulo first-team debut in 2001 and became a key figure in the club’s 2001 Torneio Rio-São Paulo triumph. In 2002, he helped São Paulo win the Supercampeonato Paulista. Milan signed Kaká from São Paulo in 2003, and he rapidly became the driving force of Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Operating behind the forwards, he combined long, elegant strides with close control and incisive passing. Milan won Serie A in 2003–04, while Kaká was named Serie A Footballer of the Year in 2004. His defining European campaign came in 2006–07: he scored ten goals to finish as the UEFA Champions League’s leading scorer. Milan then defeated Liverpool 2–1 in the Athens final, avenging the 2005 final defeat in Istanbul. In 2007, Kaká won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year, becoming the last recipient before Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi began their decade-long Ballon d’Or dominance. Real Madrid signed him in June 2009 for a reported €67 million, part of Florentino Pérez’s high-profile rebuilding. Injuries limited his early seasons, but he contributed to José Mourinho’s 2011–12 La Liga title-winning team, which amassed a record 100 points. He also won the Copa del Rey in 2010–11, and played in Madrid’s 2013–14 UEFA Champions League-winning campaign before returning to Milan. After one season back at the San Siro, he joined Major League Soccer’s Orlando City in 2014. He was the club’s first captain and scored in its inaugural MLS match in 2015, a 1–1 draw with New York City FC. He later spent the 2017 season on loan at São Paulo, then announced his retirement in December 2017. Brazil gave Kaká his debut in January 2002. He was part of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s World Cup-winning squad later that year, although he played once in the tournament. Across his international career, he made 92 appearances and scored 29 goals. He also won the 2005 and 2009 FIFA Confederations Cups. His Brazil appearance came in 2016, against Ecuador.